This winter I have been in transition--at least it feels that way! I move in slow motion. I think in slow motion. I start slow and end slow. I've never been a high energy person, but getting motivated to accomplish things has been challenging. I have to make myself get out of bed. The damp and cold has made me ache. I am so ready for summer and warmth. BUT I did yoga today and felt almost normal! Then I had a great treat. Our oldest son, Jeb came over from Athens, Ala. and visited us for a couple of hours. He then went on to join his younger brother Jared to see Louisville play Michigan in the Final Four in basketball. They were pumped for a fun evening together and they are cheering for rival teams! Wish I could be a fly on the wall and watch them! :)

So as I think of this winter, I don't think I have accomplished much. But maybe I have accomplished a lot. I am doing yoga and pilates at least 2-3 times a week and spin (biking) 1-2 times a week. Some days that has been all I've done. But hopefully I'm getting stronger and I am so thankful to be able to get better. Yes, I've accepted that I probably won't ever be the same, but that is ok. But I am determined to get as close to it as possible!

The reason I wrote "stuck" as a title is that I can't seem to focus to write and I love to write. That is frustrating! I am scheduled to speak to some women on Parenting and Raising Children that Love the Lord in a few weeks, so hopefully I can get it together and not go into panic mode!

Reading of your efforts and your love for the Lord is encouraging. I enjoy reading about your lives and your news. This Thurs. evening I'm flying to Denver to see Clarke, our youngest son Jake's 10 mo. old little boy. Yeah! That is my news. :)

Today I feel sad. Yesterday our very dear friends, Harry and Joella Pickup, lost another child to a massive heart attack. Marty had just finished a gospel meeting for University Church of Christ and the next morning went to play his usual bi-weekly game of tennis. Then Marty planned to go over to his parents and refill all their meds and see to their care. But during the third set of tennis went back for a ball and just kept going and fell backwards to land on the court. He was gone. His wife Aimee and his two sons and daughter are in shock as well as his dear parents. The Pickups lost their daughter Donna a few years ago. During lecture week we went over to visit with them and Joella showed us her pictures of Donna. They miss her so much. Marty has been their rock and caregiver since the loss of their only daughter. He is over at their home regularly to see to their care. I can't even imagine their pain.

Marty taught at FC for years, but recently retired from teaching to devote his time fully to preaching and shepherding the flock where they worship. His death will leave a void on so many levels by so many who loved and learned from him.

Please pray for the Pickups. This wonderful, godly family needs our supplications to The Lord on their behalf.

As David said of Abner, "Do you not realize that a prince and a great man has fallen this day...?" Hearts are broken, yet what a blessing to know that he was a dedicated servant of The Lord.

For so many years Brownie and I had hopes and dreams for our 4 sons. The greatest hope was that we would effectively raise and train our boys to love the Lord and commit their lives to Him. Our dream was for them to walk according to His word and live obedient lives for Christ. As we have grown older, that hope has been renewed with interest, love, and concern for the precious children our sons and their wives are raising.

Saturday evening we received a phone call from our oldest son, Jeb. Their son, Will, had decided he wanted to obey the Gospel and be baptized into Christ. So that evening many met at the Westview building where his dad baptized him into Christ. We are so happy and thankful for his good heart and determination to serve The Lord. Will is 15 and a half years old and has for years mentioned seeing others who obeyed the Gospel sit through worship service and not sing or appear dedicated. He knew this was a huge decision and one worthy of serious thought and interest. I know he thought carefully about this life changing decision to put Christ first in his life. He is a new creature.

Now besides being our dear grandson, Will is our brother. I am so thankful. And many prayers will be offered now and in years to come for his continued dedication to the Lord, along with his sisters and our other precious grandchildren. We would appreciate your prayers on his behalf as he begins his new life.

Our encouragement and prayer for Will: "Trust in The Lord with all your heart.......and He will direct your paths." Prov. 3

Tomorrow we are expecting visitors that I feel like I know and I already love--Dave and Joanne Beckley! I am so looking forward to having them in our home. Dave will tell us about their work in South Africa and preach for our worship service. After service we are having a potluck and quite a few families will be visiting. We should have a full house. Love it! And they will be staying till Wednesday. Yeah!

As you are aware, I have been slowly recovering from extensive injuries sustained in a bad car wreck. I was never the Martha Stewart of house keeping, so on top of that I had months of catching up to do. It is a great feeling to be caught up and back on track and able to have folks in our home. Kroger had flowers on sale so I feel like a Country Living magazine page! I love fresh flowers. When we lived in England they were so cheap that I enjoyed them year round.

Proverbs 17:22 "A merry heart does good like medicine...." I have a merry heart. Wish you could all drop in this weekend and have a cup of tea with Joanne and I and visit. :)

Obviously my family only celebrates Christmas as a great time of fun and sharing. We typically don't observe it on the day most celebrate it....because it does't matter. My parents made it a special time although also low key. They always used the "spirit of giving" concept to teach us to think of others. One year they bought freezers for two missionary families. So much money is spent that we should be careful to avoid greed or over-doing the gift-giving. I will admit that I have had great fun fixing goodie bags for my boys with little food treats they enjoy and other little fun items. I always spend more on my daughters-in-law. I had a mother-in-law who would give me cheap plastic cartons and give my hubby 3 new shirts with one hundred dollar bills in each pocket (a real ex.). It hurt my feelings. I love the wonderful women our sons have brought into this family and never want them to experience what I felt. And I have had fun buying for my grand daughters as I never got to do "girls"!

We have special friends in Mexico where our oldest son Jeb use to preach who have suffered terrible loses recently. Two heads of families died on the same day leaving their families minus the incredible people they dearly loved who were such godly men and great leaders and minus the income they had. It is good to help anyone in need, but if you can share with brethren who are needy that is even better-- during this season of sharing and anytime you have extra to give. We are so richly blessed in this country.

So enjoy the music and fun and family. That is what I look forward to experiencing. Our clan is getting together the 29th for 6 days of laughing and games and food. The simple but incredible joy of just being together. Can't wait to see them!

This year we've had some tough times. Dad had a mild stroke, Mom's suffering with Alzheimer's is over and I still miss her (although I'm thankful she no longer has that horrible disease), and I was in that bad car wreck in May. It has been a hard journey, but with the prayers of many of you and so many others, God has helped me recover. I am so grateful for all the prayers and love and support. God has blessed me with great sisters and brothers and dear family and a wonderful husband.

Love and best wishes to you all.